Spring practice has come to a close for the Pitt Panthers football team and it all culminates with the annual Blue-Gold spring game, which will be played Friday night at Bethel Park High School. This isn't just any spring game though as it carries some weight for several Pitt players competing for jobs in Paul Chryst's second season on the Panthers' sidelines. When it comes to spring football, it's similar to exhibition baseball. Stats don't really matter as much as showing the coaching ... Read More
Pitt reportedly blocks Rushel Shell’s transfer to Arizona State
Anyone that thought the Pitt Panthers wouldn't hold a grudge against former head coach Todd Graham, they can think again. Rightfully so, Pitt wasn't happy with the way Graham left to be the coach at Arizona State, less than a year after the Panthers hired him. The Panthers did not give permission for Graham to talk to Arizona State, so he resigned to take that job. Then in classy Graham style, he sent a text message to players on his way out instead of meeting with them. That action made ... Read More
Opportunity is knocking on the door of Pitt’s Isaac Bennett and Malcolm Crockett
It is always said that opportunities don't come that often, but when they do you have to be ready to take advantage of them. That's the case for Pitt running backs Isaac Bennett (junior) and Malcolm Crockett (redshirt sophomore), who suddenly have been presented with a golden opportunity to emerge as the feature back in Paul Chryst's offense. With the transfer of Rushel Shell, Bennett and Crockett have risen to No.1 and 2 on the current Panthers' depth chart as spring practice ... Read More
Pitt Panthers running back options with Shell out
W.P.I.A.L. legend, and now former Pitt running back Rushel Shell is transferring from the University of Pittsburgh. He is leaving his hometown team, and reports are saying he is looking to move out west to a school in either Arizona or California. A move that just doesn’t make sense with him having two children that he would have to leave to go out there, and not to mention the fact that he was basically the guaranteed starter coming into the 2013 season. Shell had a good campaign as a ... Read More
Rushel Shell to transfer from Pitt
The Rushel Shell saga seems to have come to a swift end and it is bad news for the Pitt Panthers football team. According to Jerry DiPaola of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Shell told Panthers head coach Paul Chryst he will transfer from the university, ending his stay with the team after one season. Shell was absent from spring practice last week amid rumors of potential transfer and later in the week Chryst issued a statement that Shell was taking time away from football to sort out ... Read More
Rushel Shell to reportedly take time away from football
Yesterday's shocking news that Pitt sophomore running back Rushel Shell was looking to transfer has taken another turn, as now it looks as if Shell will be taking a step back from football for the time being. Shell, as I reported yesterday, was looking to transfer, but has not formally requested the paperwork to do so, according to multiple sources. Pitt head coach Paul Chryst issued a statement on the situation. “Like many college freshmen, Rushel is working through some challenges ... Read More
Rushel Shell reportedly to transfer from Pitt
As the Pitt Panthers football team prepares to head to the ACC this season, one position on the field that Pitt head coach Paul Chryst didn't think he would have to worry about is running back. Following the graduation of Ray Graham, all signs pointed to sophomore Rushel Shell stepping into the feature back role and excelling at it. Not so fast though, as there are now signs that Shell may not follow in the footsteps of LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis and Graham as the next great Pitt running ... Read More
Fear the Underdog: 4 Mid-Majors to watch
Every year top seeds go down, and everyone is wondering where did these teams come from. From Ohio, VCU, Butler, Lehigh, & others, Mid-Majors have always been force in the NCAA Tournament. Every year a new team emerges and that is one of the many reasons why this is the greatest sporting event. These 4 teams all have the ability to win their first round game and potentially move on to the 2nd weekend. I am not making any guarantees to them winning but I am guaranteeing that the team they are ... Read More
The 5 biggest question marks as Pitt continues spring practice
Paul Chryst and the Pitt Panthers have taken a break from spring practice as Pitt students are on spring break, but the Panthers will be back on the field on Sunday, this time in full pads. As they continue to put in work with eyes on their Labor Day matchup against Florida State, there are a few major questions that Chryst is going to have to find an answer to in order for Pitt to have a chance at competing during their inaugural ACC season. Here's a look at the five biggest burning ... Read More
Pitt QB job up in the air during spring practice
For the first time in a very long time there will be a competition to be the Pitt Panthers starting quarterback in 2013. Pitt fans can rejoice in the fact that Tino Sunseri will no longer be under center for the Panthers, but there hasn't been a true quarterback competition since the 2008 season when Bill Stull beat out Pat Bostick for the job. As the Panthers entered spring practice, all eyes will be on the quarterback spot as four guys will attempt to impress head coach Paul Chryst and ... Read More